San Antonio Missions Thanks Our Veterans

San Antonio is home to one of the largest concentrations of military bases in the United States and is officially Military City, USA.

The city has deep roots with the military dating back more than 300 years to the first Spanish soldiers who founded the San Antonio de Bexar Presidio in 1718. This Spanish colonial presidio supported five mission communities, four are now part of San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.

Today in Military City, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park has an opportunity to reach our local military and veteran community. This year our park rangers have led several military groups on guided tours of the park, attended outreach events at military bases to invite the community to their national park and to distribute the free lifetime Military Passes for those eligible.

One outreach example was on National Gold Star Mother's & Family's Day at the local Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston where our park rangers distributed about 40 lifetime Military Passes, most to Gold Star Families.

Park Ranger with Military Members on Veterans Day.

NPS Photo

On Veterans Day 2023, San Antonio Missions joined the city's celebration at the official San Antonio Veterans Day.

Attendees enjoyed live entertainment and explored resources and services provided by veteran-embracing organizations like the National Park Service. We thanked our current and future veterans, and distributed passes to national parks and other federal public lands. Although the rain cut the celebrations short, the park distributed a total of 137 America the Beautiful Passes!

The park's Community Volunteer Ambassador shared how, “it was so nice to see how many families were looking forward to visiting not only San Antonio Missions, but we encouraged them to explore other national parks in Texas and across the United States.

We are proud and honored to be part of the community and to provide America the Beautiful passes to those who either needed to replace their old copy, or never even knew about the pass program prior to us reaching out to them.”

Park Ranger Veteran sharing information about the America the Beautiful Pass Program.

NPS Photo.

Some of our staff representing the park during these military and veterans outreach events are veterans themselves. Others are part of the DOD SkillBridge program. Learn more about veteran staff in the NPS.

Free lifetime passes are one way we demonstrate gratitude and support for those, past or present, who have selflessly served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Learn more about Veterans Day in national parks or about the America the Beautiful free Military Pass.